The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-29

form of the Profession of Faith was taken
from the table.
l. I believe that the Holy Scriptures of
the Old and New Testaments contain a
revelation from God to mankind.
2. believe in one God, the Father AL
mighty, Maker of heaven and earth; in
Jesus Christ His Son, who is the Revealer
of God and the Saviour of the world; and
in His Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
through which all disciples of Christ are
united in one spiritual body.
3. believe in the necessity of personal
regeneration; in the forgiveness of sins;
in the certainty of retribution; in the
immortality of the human soul; and in
the final holiness and happiness of all
mankind.
A. I believe that the opportunities, OBJ
legations and rewards of religion are in
their nature eternal, and of such imme-
date urgency that ought to strive ear
nestly for present salvation by repenting
of my sins and diligently using the means
of grace which, in His mercy, God has
provided for me.
The Discussion.
Rev. DR.. @. w. Tomlinson of the Com
mittee advocated the adoption of the
form as reported. In substance he said:
No trihing considerations can justify a
church in changing it's Profession OF Be-
lief; but nothing can justify it in long
retaining a statement which the church
has either practically abandoned or out
grown. We of the Universalist connec-
ton have joined in the general censure
OF certain other communions which have
thus far declined to set aside creeds which
confessedly do not express their present
faith. Surely we should be free to do
that which we demand of others. How
it came to pass that he was placed upon
this revision committee had been to him
an inexplicable mystery; for neither in
the General Convention nor elsewhere
had he ever publicly advocated a change,
and in private had seldom given express
sion to his views upon the subject Yet,
even before his entrance upon the minis
try, when one of the most honored of our
clergy had spoken to him of the Winches-
ter Profession as indicating little short
of inspiration, he had pointed out the
weakness of its concluding sentence. He
had been long convinced that, sooner or
later, our Church would see the need Of
placing itself more Enthusiastically be.
fore the world than by this symbol is
done. We, and we alone of all Christian
communions, have given prominence to
the teaching of Jesus that there is no real
life for man away from God; in whose
likeness he has been made; yet the Win
chester Profession is silent upon that
subject.
After criticising other features Of that
standard, he ran rapidly over the several
statements of the proposed substitute, to
show that while they are definite, they
allow of just latitude of Interpretation;
raise no questions upon which there is
not agreement among us; and state ade-
quately and clearly our faith for the en-
lightenment of others and the working
needs Of our own church. Personally be
could be satisfied with something far
briefer The simple apostolic confession,
at believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
would be enough for him; or the declara-
ton, We believe in the Fatherhood of
God, and in the Brotherhood of Man
that and nothing more Any vitality in
elusive statement would serve, however
brief and simple. But others were not
content with this, and the world would
demand of us more.
This proposed statement had not been
planned to suit the committee, but to
serve the needs of the church. The
committee had no desire unduly to press
it. They would welcome any changes
which could be proposed for its improve
ment; and would cheerfully consent to
any delay of the final action which might
be in the interests of church unity. They
asked only courteous, frank, thoughtful,
prayerful, abundant consideration of this
proposed substitute over which they had
labored with no purpose other than the
clear statement of Christian truth as ap-
pretended among us,the strengthening of
our church, and the advancement of the
Redeemer's kingdom.
Rev. MIR. Start moved that each speaker
should in the farther discussions be linn
tied to ten minutes. The motion was
sustained.
Remarks by DR.. Capen.
President E. 81. Capen, of Tufts College,
moved several verbal notifications. He
moved that after the words Saviour of
the world" should be added, "trom sin"
The words in the third article, personal
regeneration" are Objectionable as in
volving a subtle theological dogma.
There is no occasion for the words "ot
such immediate urgency" nor of the word
"power" preceding the word salvation"
And the words sin His mercy" are not
comprehensive justice not less than
ENERGY" has an Office in salvation.
Remarks by DR.. Eddy.
Rev. DIR. Eddy spoke upon the general
question,-that is upon the statement